In December, the security researchers at anti-virus firm Kaspersky Lab discovered a Tor-based banking trojan, dubbed "ChewBacca", that was initially categorized as a Financial trojan, but recently security researchers at RSA have uncovered that 'ChewBacca' is also capable of stealing credit card details from point of sale systems.

‘ChewBacca’, a relatively new and private Trojan, used in the 11 countries as a POS malware is behind the electronic theft. ChewBacca communicates with its C&C (Command and Control) server over the Tor network obscuring the IP addresses of parties.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

PC maker Lenovo, which has struggled for smartphone success outside China, gets an established global brand, while Google unloads a burden on its balance sheet and a source of tension.

How a Good Move Getting Motorola is Getting Better

Lenovo gets the Motorola brand, as well as its portfolio of devices, including the Moto X and Moto G. In addition, it will also receive more than 2,000 patent assets, while Google will retain control of a majority of the patents it originally obtained when it acquired Motorola several years ago.

A deal instantly gives Lenovo, which has a thriving smartphone business in China but few other places, an established global brand. Google, meanwhile, will shed a business that has continually dragged down its profits.

Omitted from announcement that Google had reached a deal to sell its smartphone-making unit to Lenovo was that it will hold on to the unit responsible for the company's experimental technologies, which have included work on electronic tattoos and pills with chips in them for authentication.

Headed up by former director of DARPA Regina Dugan, Motorola's Advanced

Technology and Projects Group will be folded into Google's Android unit according to the Verge, which is headed up by Sundar Pichai, the VP also in charge of Google's Chrome and Apps efforts.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

At NAMM 2013, we were able to get cozy with Korg's MS-20 mini analog synth.

This year, the company is putting the wrenches in your hands with its DIY MS-20 kit. For $1,400, synthesizer enthusiasts can nab the collection of parts needed to construct a working model of the iconic instrument, with no soldering or electrical expertise required.

You can expect all the features, specs and even the same circuit path from the

original with new MIDI input and USB connections. The kit remains true analog

Monday, January 20, 2014

The most exciting aspect of contemporary virtual reality is its implications. Even using Oculus VR's early duct taped-prototype, most users immediately "get it." You're transported to, say, Tuscany, or an underwater exploration vehicle, or a space fighter, and that experience is enough to trigger a flood of ideas for other potential interactions -- interactions that are dramatically heightened by employing a VR headset. How about deep-sea exploration in 4K? Or maybe Mars? And we're not talking just video games, but experiences.

In 2009, At TEDIndia, Pranav Mistry demos several tools that help the physical world interact with the world of data -- including a deep look at his SixthSense device and a new, paradigm-shifting paper "laptop." In an onstage Q&A, Mistry says he'll open-source the software behind SixthSense, to open its possibilities to all.

The Filtering Process: 120 films selected from 20,000 submitted.----------------------------------- Word: DtD ??? Direct to Disc.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some Films that have bubbled to the surface.--------------------------------------------------------------------

DINOSAUR 13 (U.S. Documentary Competition)

Director Todd Miller digs into the vicious battle among paleontologists, museums, Native American tribes and the U.S. government over the 1990 discovery of Sue, the largest complete fossil T. rex ever found. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------MITT coming out on Netflix.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ERNEST & CELESTINE

Oscar Nominee for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Director Benjamin Renner and producer Didier Brunner

(Directors: Benjamin Renner, Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Screenwriter: Daniel Pennac) - Unlike her fellow mice, Celestine is an artist and a dreamer. When she nearly ends up as breakfast for a bear named Ernest, the two form an unlikely bond that is quickly challenged by their respective communities. Cast: Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally. Recommended for ages 5+. (France, Belgium, Luxembourg)

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SNL

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New Cast Member: Sasheer Zamata, the show's first African American woman in six years. added to SNL last night, and two more African American woman writers.

About Me

I started in computing selling the TRS-80 many years ago in the early 80's and got hooked when I bought my own Coco (Color Computer). I've had a computer ever since.
I write short SF stories and Linux/OpenSource articles. I'm on Twitter as: http://twitter.com/ErnieMLopez/